Join Our Journey: Updates from the Campaign Trail

gundersonsd1
Sep 9, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Nov 15, 2025

As we embark on this exciting journey together, we want to keep you updated on our campaign trail. Every step we take is a step towards a brighter future, a better Lincoln County and a better Montana and we are thrilled to share our experiences with you. From meeting incredible people such as yourself, to tackling important issues, this journey is about all of us.

In this blog post, we will cover the latest updates from our campaign trail, share stories that inspire us, and highlight the key issues we are addressing. We hope you feel as connected to this journey as we do.

The Road So Far

Our campaign began with a vision. We wanted to create a movement that resonates with the community and the District. Senate District 1 has over 20,000 registered voters in it. From the very first day, we have been on the ground, listening to your concerns and ideas and we hope to be able to address each of those concerns or ideas.

We kicked off our campaign with a launch event that brought together supporters from all walks of life. The energy in the room was electric. People shared their hopes and dreams for our community, and it fueled our passion to fight for change.

Since then, we have traveled to various meetings, attending town halls and community meetings. Each interaction has been a reminder of why we are here. We are committed to making a difference, and your voices are at the heart of our mission.

Connecting with the Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of our campaign is connecting with you, the community and the District. We have met so many amazing individuals who are dedicated to making our community a better place.

During our visits, we have heard stories that touch our hearts. For example, we met a local teacher who is passionate about improving education. She shared her vision for a better school system. Her dedication inspired us to prioritize education in our campaign platform.

We also met a small business owner who is struggling to keep his doors open. He spoke about the challenges he faces and the need for support from local government. His story is a reminder of the importance of supporting our local economy. We have met with miners working away from home in Alaska that want to be able to work locally and not commute on a regular basis. Working locally would enable them to be more of a guiding influence in their children's lives.

These types of connections are what drive us. We are here to listen, learn, and advocate for you.

Key Issues on the Campaign Trail

As we continue our journey, we are focusing on several key issues that matter to our community. Here are some of the main topics we are addressing:

Education: We believe that every child deserves a quality education. We are committed to investing in our schools and ensuring that teachers have the resources they need. We also advocate for more technical schools that give a choice in career paths for our High School graduates.
Healthcare: Access to affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We are advocating for policies that make healthcare accessible to everyone in our community. We not only need to make healthcare affordable but to add many more choices. No "one size fits all". "You Can Keep your Doctor" was one of the first promises broken by "Obamacare".
Economic Development: Supporting local businesses is crucial for our economy. We are working on initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, apprenticeships and job creation. We need to work with our education system at the high school level and the Community College level to produce quality programs to prepare our youth to fill jobs that we create as we bring back logging and mining jobs to the area. Historic Logging and Mining jobs are what built the Montana we live in today. Lincoln County was once the richest and most prosperous county in Montana. Sadly, we currently fight a race to the bottom due to our economic downturn forced by NGOs and a Federal Government that has forgotten our once prestigious standing in Natural Resource Extraction.
Public Safety: We want our community to feel safe. We are committed to working with law enforcement and community organizations to address safety concerns.
Public/Private Safety: is not only about fighting crime but diligently working to make our communities more resilient from the threat of wildfire. Our Public Lands have been mismanaged for decades and need to be properly managed to remove the overgrowth of fuels that have been allowed to overtake our once pristine forests.
Take back our forests: Our forests have been slowly closed down from multiple use. Over 3,000 miles of roads on just the KNF have been closed. Gates, Kelly Humps, ditches and even removing the road prism altogether have been implemented here locally.

Remove weaponization of Environmental Laws: the specter of the weaponization of our well-intended 1970's environmental laws by NGOs. Endangered Species Act, Equal Access to Justice Act, Judicial overreach and Judicial legislating from the bench. We need a return to common sense management of our Public Lands that meet environmental goals set by Congress without Judicial weaponization. H.R. 471 is moving through the Senate after being passed by a bipartisan vote in the House.

These issues are not just talking points for us. They are the foundation of our campaign and reflect the needs of our community. Jobs, Recreation and Removing the threat of another catastrophic 1910 fire.

Engaging with Supporters

Engagement is key to our campaign. We want to hear from you, and we want to involve you in our journey.

We have organized several events where supporters can come together, share ideas, and discuss the issues that matter most. These gatherings have been a great way to build community and strengthen our movement.

For example, we held a community forum in November at the Yaak Community Center where residents could voice their concerns. The turnout was fantastic, and the discussions were lively. We took notes on every suggestion and concern raised, and we are committed to addressing them in our campaign.

We also encourage you to reach out to us through social media. Your feedback is invaluable, and we want to ensure that your voices are heard.

The Power of Volunteerism

Our campaign would not be possible without the incredible volunteers who have stepped up to help. Their dedication and hard work are the backbone of our movement.

From canvassing neighborhoods to organizing events, our volunteers are making a real impact. They are passionate about our mission and are eager to spread the word about our campaign. They are steadfast in their mission to make changes in how we do business in Helena, ensure that agencies are working for, "We The People", and that good ideas from "We The People" become reality.

If you are interested in getting involved, we welcome you to join our team. Whether you can spare a few hours or want to commit more time, every bit helps. Together, we can amplify our message and reach more people.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, we are excited about what lies ahead. The campaign trail is filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.

We have several upcoming events planned, including town halls and community service projects. These events will allow us to engage with you and continue building our movement.

We also plan to release a series of policy proposals that outline our vision for the future. We want to ensure that you are informed and involved in the decision-making process.

Stay tuned for updates on our events and initiatives. We are committed to transparency and want you to be part of this journey every step of the way.

A Journey Together

As we reflect on our journey so far, we are filled with gratitude. This campaign is not just about us; it is about all of you.

We are inspired by your stories, your passion, and your commitment to our community. Together, we can create a brighter future.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing to share updates and engaging with you, the Voter, as we continue to move forward.